Thursday, July 31, 2014

All players participating in the World Flying Disc Federation World Ultimate Club Championships should know these hand signals, since all calls are the responsibility of the players. There are 21 total signals. Some will already look familiar, though #19 looks like what some use as a "brick" call.

Hand Signals #1-7

Hand Signals #8-14

Hand Signals #15-21

And, if you don;t have time to watch study the 3 short-form videos above, then here's the dance version CliffNotes of the signals.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Twenty-five years ago on this date (July 30th), the first-ever World Ultimate Club Championships concluded. The inaugural World Ultimate CLUB Championships was played in Cologne (Köln), Germany in 1989. USA swept in the Open division - (1) Philmore, (2) Elvis, (3) Looney Tunes. In the Women division USA placed in the top 2 spots with (1) Lady Condors, (2) Smithereens, and Sweden's Stenungsunds FC won bronze.

Good news for pro Ultimate fans. Not-so-good news for those seeking to play in pro Ultimate leagues.

Tryout fees trended higher, while season ticket prices decreased.

Compared to last year, fees for 2014 tryouts went up in both leagues. MLU's 8 teams averaged an increase of $3.13 (10%) and AUDL's 17 teams rose $2.61 (7%). On average fro both leagues, the tryout fees for prospective players increased by 9%, or by $3.20, from the 2013 charged rate.

On the contrary, season ticket prices decreased across both leagues. MLU teams slashed tix prices nearly $20 - an average of 24%. AUDL teams also reduced season tickets $8.54 (13%). Across all 25 teams in both leagues, season tickets dropped 18% – a savings of $12.86.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Regular season games in the first season of AUDL scheduled Eastern Division teams versus Western (now Midwestern) Division teams. These interleague games are so compelling from a fan's perspective, yet probably not so much for team owners who have travel expenses. In 2013 and 2014, the interleague games only happened during the postseason.

There have been 15 total AUDL postseason games since 2012, yet only 5 have been interleague postseason games - 3 of which have been the championship games. Here's how AUDL teams have fared in interleague postseason games.

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Congratulations to the San Jose Spiders for winning the 2014 AUDL Championship today!

What a first season for the Spiders, who clinched first place in the West Conference with a (13-1) record, and later won the West Conference Finals. With a lean roster, the Spiders won the American Ultimate Disc League Championship with a victory over Toronto Rush today, 28-18 (halftime 12-8)! San Jose finishes their inaugural AUDL season with a (16-1) overall record. Ashlin Joye and Beau Kittredge were named co-MVPs of the AUDL Championship held in Toronto.

"The World's Biggest Beach Ultimate Tournament" starts today in Wildwood, New Jersey. There are a total of 510 teams playing in the 2/2 beer, 3/1 beer, and 3/1 open divisions. "Just for fun, still competitive, just not hard core" perfectly describes the tournament's vibe, not just the Beer Division.

According to the website, the Wildwood Ultimate Beach Tourney has been bestowed recognition by Discraft with a "Transcendent Tournament Award." Anyone who has ever attended WW can attest to the above and beyond experience at this gathering. Remember the sunscreen!

Friday, July 25, 2014

A main source of American Ultimate Disc League players are from each team's local club teams. Here's the breakdown for each team in the AUDL Final Four:

PRIMARY Club Team Feeder on each AUDL Final Four Team Roster
63% (17 of 27) Toronto Rush roster = Toronto GOAT men's team
36% (10 of 28) Madison Radicals roster = Madison Club men's team
32% (9 of 28) San Jose Spider roster = San Francisco Revolver men's team
25% (7 of 28) New York Empire roster = 7 Express mixed team

Thursday, July 24, 2014

With the 119-game regular season schedule for 2014 American Ultimate Disc League over, let's compare and rank team goals. Each AUDL team played 14 regular season games within their division in 2014. While Minnesota Wind Chill and Vancouver Riptide are within the top 8 teams in the ranking, the records of Indianapolis and DC were better to earn them a playoff berth.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

AUDL Playoffs continue this weekend after each team won their first round playoff game. These four teams are, by record and performance, the best in the league. Saturday's game is being billed as "the 4 best Ultimate teams in North America will meet to determine which 2 teams will play in the AUDL Championship game."

The winner of each semifinal game plays in the finals on Sunday, July 27 at 1pm. All games will be played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. $20,000 in prize money goes to the winning team.

:History:
(15-1) = Toronto Rush's overall record at home.
(6-0) = Toronto Rush's all-time record versus New York Empire.
2014: Rush won both meetings (April 13, June 21) against Empire by 2 scores and 3 scores, respectively. The April game was played at New York, and the second match-up was played in Toronto.
2013: Rush won all 3 regular season meetings versus Empire, and again in the playoffs.

:Notes:
Madison Radicals had the best goal differential in the league (+127); San Jose Spiders were third (+112).
Spiders scored the highest number of goals with nearly 400 goals in the regular season (398).
Radicals allowed the lowest number of goals (211) during the regular season.

Radicals Defense = 15.07 avg goals / game
Allowed 20 or more goals in only 2 regular season games; both times were on the road with one being a loss versus Minnesota (Week 3), the other was a win against the Revolution (Week 1).

Spiders Offense = 28.42 avg goals / game
Scored 20 or more goals in all regular season games.

:Travel:
Three out of the 4 teams require travel to the AUDL Finals location in Toronto. San Jose has the furthest trip to attend from the west coast. Not to mention, the expense of booking a flight to YYZ only 6 days ahead. Madison and New York teams are traveling by bus.

1. "...despite all the makings of a real sport, it is sorted on ESPN3 under "games," right next to dudes playing video games, while football and soccer and hockey all get their own categories as sports"

SLUDGE: This point has been argued on this blog many, many, many, many times before.

2. "Someone is tracking every single pass made over the course of this ultimate frisbee league's season."

Monday, July 21, 2014

After Beau Kittredge signed with a new AUDL team late last year, the San Jose Spiders began packaging Beau bobbleheads with 2014 season tickets. The Spiders are now offering the "Beau-bblehead" in their online gear store.

Beau BobbleheadInfo: A bobblehead in the likeness of top Ultimate player on San Jose Spiders, Beau Kittredge. Beau, posed in a standing position, has an authentic fauxhawk, vest and jeans - exactly as modeled.Price: $25 + s/h

Saturday, July 19, 2014

What a season for the Current, who clinched first place in the Eastern Conference with a (9-1) record, and then won the Eastern Conference Finals. Tonight, the Current won the Major League Ultimate Championship with a victory over Vancouver Nighthawks, 23-17 (halftime 13-4)! DC caps off their 2014 MLU season with a (11-1) record.

DC just dominated the first half. The Current 's offense was balanced with timely cuts underneath, precise throws upfield and finding open space in the end zone. The defense, like all season long, forced Vancouver turnovers. DC's led 13-4 at half. The Nighthawks scored as many points in the second half as DC scored in the first half, but DC's lead proved too much for Vancouver. Markham Shofner (#80 on the Current) was named MVP of the MLU Championship.

After positive play in the regular season, both the DC Current (MLU) and the DC Breeze (AUDL) earned a spot in their respective league's postseason. DC pro Ultimate teams posted an incredible combined record of 19-5 (.792 winning %).

Tonight, both DC teams have a playoff game.

DC Breeze play in the first round of American Ultimate Disc League playoffs against Toronto Rush at Toronto's Varsity Stadium at 6pm ET.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Early online promotions for the MLU Championship game included this image of PPL Park - the new venue to host Major League Ultimate's big game:

The juxtaposition of a soccer field in an ad promoting the sport of professional Ultimate was unsettling. (Though, in reality, Ultimate players know far too well the shared turf with football players.) Plus, with no mention of "ultimate," a person may not readily connect "MLU" to a non-soccer sporting event.

Just recently in the lead up to the final game of the MLU season, the venue image was updated:

The promotional event is accentuated by the custom-designed MLUlti field; not to mention, a growing crowd already waiting for the pro Ultimate game to begin! Who are those people? And, how long have they been there??

The AUDL post-season begins tonight! Six Eight teams (47%) out of the 17 teams advanced into the playoffs. Both Western Conference teams - Spiders and FlameThrowers - appear in the playoffs for the first-time.

Besides those new teams on the west coast, the DC Breeze (2nd AUDL season) are the only other team to make their first appearance in the postseason.

Philadelphia Phoenix are the only 2013 playoff team not returning to the 2014 playoffs.

The Madison-Indianapolis game is a rematch from 2013 playoffs.

The above visual by the AUDL nicely displays the first round of playoffs. Here are some examples of how teams are using visuals to promote their playoff games.

On Saturday, July 19th at 6:30pm ET, Major League Ultimate will host its second annual championship game, featuring a match up between Western Conference Champion Vancouver Nighthawks and Eastern Conference Champion Washington DC Current. This game will be played at PPL Park with a capacity of 18,500 in Chester, Pennsylvania (~18 miles away from Philly).

:Teams:
OFFENSE: These two teams were tops in the league in goals; DC 216, VAN 212.
DEFENSE: They rank #3, #4 respectively; DC 174 goals; VAN 182 goals.
Both teams increased their win totals compared to last year. DC (9-1) clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference while Vancouver (6-4) came in 2nd place in the Western Conference.
Both teams won the conference finals by 1 point.
Both teams have a similar dark PUMA jersey.

:Weather:
Saturday, July 19's forecast has a slight wind and a low chance of rain during the day and into the evening.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Bummer news from the D.C. Current camp about handler Alan Kolick's wrist injury. As of today, it was announced Kolick would undergo surgery on his (non-throwing) right wrist after an injury sustained while playing with Truck Stop during Chesapeake Invite this past weekend.

Knowing how players (& fans) enjoy tributes to fallen/injured players, here's a jump start on some ideas. Kolick (#99) is a fan of the headband and even the neckband (see below).

So, some ideas:

1. A wristband with Kolick's # worn by every player/fan on their right wrist.

2. First throw of the game by the Current to be thrown left-handed.

3. Players to write #99 on their cleats.

4. A head/neck-band with Kolick's # worn by every player/fan on their choice of either head &/or neck.

This year's USA Ultimate Masters Championships are scheduled for July 18-20 in Sarasota, Florida. There are 15 Masters Men (33+ years old), 10 Masters Women's (30+ years old), and 14 Grand Masters teams (40+ years old) will compete for the 2014 championship.

This continues the format of Men and Women Masters plus Grand Masters divisions play concurrently at one national championship event.

Based on team listings in the Event Guide, the 39 teams represent 21 states at the Masters Championships. Four states – Florida, Minnesota, Pennsylvania & Texas – have teams in each division.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The main character of the long-running comic book series set in a small town called Riverdale is coming to an end. This week's Life With Archie comic book (which is set in the future) will [[SPOILER ALERT]] have Archie Andrews killed trying to save a friend's life. Do not despair; Archie's character will remain alive in the other Archie Comics series.

Let's take this opportunity to celebrate some Archie comic book covers featuring a Frisbee:
WARNING: These read like anachronistic versions of #ultimatepickuplines

How do you score points with a Frisbee?
By making it land near a group of girls! (1969)

The last game of AUDL's 2014 regular season was a rescheduled game between Minnesota Wind Chill and Indianapolis AlleyCats. And, the visiting team - Indianapolis AlleyCats - were none too thrilled to re-play.

Their previous meeting on May 31 was cancelled before halftime due to weather. This rescheduled match was necessary because of its playoff implications– 2nd & 3rd place in the Midwest Division.

Monday, July 14, 2014

The American Ultimate Disc League regular season ended on Sunday, but you may not know that by visiting some of the team's websites. ALL teams have a website. ALL teams have their schedule posted. NOT ALL teams post their game results.

If a sports team bothers to have a webpage listing their game schedule, then they are obligated to keep it updated. This request seems not like just common courtesy, but also common sense. The lack of score reporting by more than half of AUDL teams is unprofessional for a professional ultimate league.